THE disgusting state of a major beauty spot has been slammed. Rose Clark, 36, of Glebe Road, Letchworth GC said there is litter on Norton Common and rubbish in the area s waterways. She added: The waterways are blocked. I know my dog s been ill from dr

THE "disgusting" state of a major beauty spot has been slammed.

Rose Clark, 36, of Glebe Road, Letchworth GC said there is litter on Norton Common and rubbish in the area's waterways.

She added: "The waterways are blocked. I know my dog's been ill from drinking water in the streams.

"I think it [the common] needs to be maintained a little better because it is part of Letchworth's heritage.

"It was there before the buildings were put up."

Mrs Clark is also calling for more paths to be put in and for improvements to facilities for children.

She said: "They've done the main path that goes from the Quadrant up to the Grange estate itself but we need other paths that go there so it can be used for everybody."

Mrs Clark said the woods on the common are "almost the rainforest" for residents.

"They're the lungs of Letchworth and without them people wouldn't come to Letchworth," she added.

A spokesman for North Hertfordshire District Council said that the council was aware that litter had been gathering near seats near the new cycle way, and it was intending to put bins there and to keep an eye on the situation.

He added: "The stream was cleared out last Friday after the Thursday afternoon storm. Normally it is cleaned once a fortnight, and the common itself once a week. Clearing up litter is expensive and council tax money could be better used in other ways.

"It is an offence to drop rubbish and, under the new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, littering could earn offenders a fixed penalty notice of £80."

With regard to children's facilities, he said the council had a regular programme for renewing such amenities.